A few years ago, my family and I traveled to Lakeside, Ohio, to visit family. While there, we went to a drive-thru animal park. At first, it was charming—goats, sheep, deer, and llamas wandering up to the car. But quickly, it turned overwhelming. Animals surrounded us, pressing in, sticking their faces through the window, even nibbling at the car. What began as cute became chaotic.

A week later, something similar happened—this time at a car dealership. I pulled in just to look, but before I could even park, salespeople approached from every direction—smiling, waving, ready to talk. I turned around and left. I’m sure I looked panicked, and I’m sure I yelled something like “Not this week, Llamas!”

Truth is, I get a little uneasy when someone is trying to sell me something. Maybe you do too.

Today’s reading from Isaiah may surprise us. The word “hear” is intended to convey a sense of urgency, like “Hey!” or “Listen closely!” God is reaching out, not to sell, but to offer:

For those who thirst—water.

For those with nothing—abundance.

For those searching—God’s Own Self.

This is the promise of an everlasting covenant—a steadfast and sure love that never loses value. Unlike anything we buy, it doesn’t depreciate. It endures.

And what’s the price? For us, it’s free. But it wasn’t free for God. This promise came at a cost—Jesus. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us, grace is not cheap. It is costly because it cost God everything, even as it is freely given to us.

This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a proclamation: “Listen up! God’s grace is real, given, and active.”

So, we don’t need to run from God like we might from a crowd of salespeople (or llamas). God isn’t chasing us away.

God is calling us home.